Infant&#39;s bathing device



Feb. 23, 1937.

B. H. KENNEDY 2,072,038

INFANTS BATHING DEVICE Filed Nov. 27, 1936 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Feb. 23, 1937. B H, KENNEDY 2,072,038

INFANTS BATHING DEVICE y `led Nov. 27, 1936 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 f zz ATTQBNEYS Feb. 23, 1937. B. H, KENNEDY INFANTS BATHING DEVICE Filed Nov. 27, 1956 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 my ma m4 EFffo E Patented Feb. 23, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE INFANTS BATnlNG DEVICE l Benjamin n. Kennedy, Rochester, N. Y. Application November 21, 1936, seria; No. 112,813

11 claims.

and from said active and inactive positions whichv 15 includes a pair of longitudinally extensible arms having pivotal connection at their upper ends respectively with the dressing table intermediate the opposite ends thereof and having pivotal connection at their lower ends with the tub support o together with a yoke pivotally connected at the upper -ends thereof to the dressing table and leg members at the opposite ends thereof with inwardly projecting supporting guides on said leg members and spaced parallel front and rear rails 'connecting the leg members at the upper ends thereof and to which the opposite sidesy of 35 the tub 'are secured, of a dresslngitable movable respectively to active vand inactive positions so as to overlie the tub and be disposed alongside thereof, and which table preferably includes front and rear bars, a flexible webv extending there between and stretcher rodsfhaving downwardly oifsetforward portions and upturned ends connecting the opposite ends of vthe said bars, said stretcher rods when in active position being adapted to rest'l adjacent the forward portion thereof upon the front rail of the support, and' adjacent the rear thereof upon said supporting guides with the upturned rear 'endsof the stretcher rods disposed behind and in contact with the rear rail of the said support, a pair of To longitudinally extensible arms pivotally con' nected respectively at the opposite ends thereof withv the support and with the stretcher rods inactuated yoke pivotallyV connected atits upper ends to the stretcher rods intermediate the ends termediate the opposite lends thereof, and a foot' thereof for shifting the vdressing table from I nactive to active position.

The invention also contemplates in a bathing device of the character set forth, a screen guard carried by the tub support for lir'nited forward and rearward yswinging movement with means on thedressing table for engaging with and swing?A ing the screen guard forwardly coincident with the movement of the dressing table to its active position overlyingv the tub.' i

Asa further feature, the invention embodies means releaseable vby the foot forlocking the dressing table `in its active position and for re-v taining the screen guard in its forwardly swung position.

With the above enumerated and other objects in view, the'invention is more particularly describedv in the following specification andv pointed out in the appended claims which cover variations and modifications falling within the scope vof the invention.

In the drawings: Fig. 1. is a front view of an infants bathin device constructed in accordance with the invention, with a portion broken out and illustrating the dressing Atable and screen guard Ain locked active position. 1

Fig. 2 is an endview thereof with p'artsbroken away and shown in section.

Fig. 3 is an end view of the device in collapsed folded condition. Fig. 4 is an end view similar to Fig. 3 `illustrating the position of 'partswhen the dressing table and screen guard are in their inactive positions. Fig. 5 is a fragmentary perspective view of one en'd of the device.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary plan view of the forward edge of the dressing table illustrating the handlel tab.

Referring-to the drawings -by characters of reference, IIJ 'designates an infants bathtub' of the -pairs of legs I3 and I4 are secured together by connecting bars I6 respectively extending from the leg of one pair to a leg of the other.

'I'he devicelfurther includes a dressing table designated generally by the reference'character II which is movable to and from an active posiand to and from an inactive positionA alongside and inrear lof the tub as shown in Figs. 3 and 4. The dressing table i1 consists of a-frame work 5 including front and rear b ars l2 and I2, .and stretcher rods 22 joining the opposite ends of the bars I2 and i2. A web 2l of canvas or an equivalent flexible material is stretched between the front and rear bars l2 and I2 to-provide a lo soft yieldable surface upon which the infant is `adapted to be laid. after the bathing operation for dressing the same. The end rods 22 are disposed in a plane below the webbing 2| and are spaced in said position by means of the upturned opposite ends 22 and 22, and the forward portions of the rods 22 are offset downwardly as at 2l.

"nie upper ends of the cross legs I2 and i4 which are disposed at the rear of the device are 'v each provided with inwardly projecting supporting guides 2l disposed below the rear rail I2 upon lwhich supporting guides the rear portions of the stretcher rods 22 are adapted to rest and between Y which and the rear rail I2 the same are guided in their movement to and from the active and inactive positions of the dressing table. In the active position. the forward portions of the stretcher rods 22 rest upon the front rails Il with the. downward offsets 24 disposed in front of the 3o rail ii, while the-upturned rearY ends 22 of the stretcher rods are disposed behind and in contact with the rear rail I2 of the support.

The dressing table is connected with the support for bodily swinging and pivotal movement by means of a pair of longitudinally extensible -arms 22 each of which includes a pair of telescopic sections 21 and 22, the former Ybeing of tubular formation and pivotaliy connected as at '22 to a bracket 2l secured to the stretcher rod o 22,-and the latter having an eye 2i surrounding s the leg pivot il and pivotally connecting said Ysection with the support. Preferably a coiled expansion spring 22 is interposed between the free end of the arm section 22 and the closed '45 pivoted end of the tubular section 21 to normally elect the extension of the extensible arm 22 to elevate the downwardly offset portions 24 above the front rails Il during the movement of the dressing table to and from its active position.

In order to provide means operable by the foot 'for moving the dressing table to and from its active and inactive positions,l a yoke 22 is provided having a foot engaging bight portion 2l at its lower end, and upwardly divergent arms 2l pivotally connected -as at 22 to the opposite ends A. of the dressing table through the medium lof the brackets 22 attached to the stretcher rods intermediate the ends thereof and substantially medially of the ends of the dressing table. Adjaw cent the lower end, the yoke is provided with a 4cross rod 21 constituting a latch element for engagement beneath a keeper plate 22 secured to the forward connecting bar Il of the support.

A screen guard 4l having depending arms 4i '65 at the opposite ends thereof, is pivotaliy connected as at l2 with the upper ends of the legs l2 and Il at the rear of the device for limited swinging movement forwardly and rearwardly between the stop elements 42 and 4l. As illustrated, the stop elements are formed integral with a htting 4l with which the inwardly projecting supporting guides 2l are also formed integral. The rear bar I2 of the dressing table is provided with outwardly projecting trunnions 22' at its u opposite ends which are adapted to engage with 2,079,038 tion overlyingthetuhasshowninrigs. 1 andil,I

the depending arms 4I of the screen guard as the dressing table approaches the unal stage of its movement to active position so as to swing the screen guard forwardly and retain the same in a substantially upright positionat the rear of the dressing table.

In use. the device may be set up from the folded 'condition illustrated in Fig. 3 of the drawings. to the set up position shown in Fig. 4, by' swinging the upper ends of the pairs of crossed l0 legs i2 and I4 apart. lAfter the infant has been bathed, the dressing table is moved from the inactive position alongside and in rear of the tub ,I2 as'shown in Fig. 4, by depressing the bight portion 2l with the foot leaving both hands of the 1 5 operator free for handling the infant. I'he initial depression of the yoke 22 by the foot, swings the dressing table on its pivotal points of connection 22 with the arms 22 from the inactive position shown in full lines to the ldotted line 20 position in Fig. 4. Continued downward pressure exerted on the yoke 22 with the foot effects a forward shifting movement of the dressing table with the stretcher rods slidably engaging 'the inwardly projecting supporting guides 2l. HA

During this phase of .the movement, the springs 22 extend the extensible arms 2l vso as to elevate the downwardly offset forward portions and cause them to clear the front rail Il after which further depression of the yoke swings the forward 39. end of the dressing table downwardly into contact with the front rail ll of the support placing the springs 422 under compressior while thelatch rod 21 engages beneath the keeper plate 22 thereby locking the dressing table in its active posiibi tion. at the same time the trunnions 'Il will have swung the screen guard forwardly with its arms 4I Vin contact with the forward stop elements l2 so that the screen guard is locked in active position projecting upwardly from the rear of the v40 v dressing table.

AThe movement of the dressing table to the inactive position is also accomplished-by engaging the foot with the bight portion 2l of theyoke to release the latch rod 21 from the keeper plate 45 22. The springs 22 then initially distend the extensible arms 2t to swing the forward portion of the dressing table upwardly to an inclined position from which it will slide rearwardly .until the arms 2 2 contact with the inwardly pro- 50 jecting supporting guides 2l from whence the dressing table being overbalanced. will swing on the `pivotal points 22 to the inactive position as shown in Fig. 4. As the dressing table moves rearwardly the trunnions lo permit the screen guard to swing bygravity to the inactive position where Ithe depending Yarms Ii contact with the rear stops M. v

'If desired, the springs 22 may be of a sumcient tension to function to automatically move the Ylo dressing table from the active position to the inactive position upon release ofA the latch bar 21 from the keeper 22.

The dressing table i1fis so constructed that the webbing 2| may be removed therefrom for wash- 0 5 ing, cleansing and replacement andY this is accomplished by makingl the upturned opposite ends 22 and of the end rods removably -associated with the front ans rear bars Is and as in the i` openings or sockets Il in said front and rear 'l bars.l The front and rear edges of the web 2| are provided with stitched seams 2i denning tun- A nels through which the front and rear bars l2 lf and i2 are inserted with the opposite extremities of said bars protruding tterefrom. A handle 7 A il( tab 52 made up of two plies of flexible material disposed over and under the upper surface of the forward edge portion of the dressing table is connected therewith by the line of stitching Il which forms the front tunnel-forming seam and the protruding forwardportion of said plies is secured together by a grommet Il. This type of handle tab permits of the removal and reapplication of the webbing 2| with the frame members.

What is claimed is:

1. In an infants bathtub and associateddressing table and support therefor, vmeans mounting said dressing table for movement to ,and from active and inactive positions respectively overlying the tub and alongside thereof, said means comprising a pair of longitudinally extensible' arms having pivotal connections at their upper ends with the dressing table' intermediate the opposite ends thereof and having pivotal connections at their lower ends with said, support, and a yoke pivotally connected at its upper ends to f the-dressing table intermediate the vends thereof,

depending therefrom and provided with a foot engaging portion.

2. In an infants bathtub and associated dressing table and support therefor, a pair of extensible arms pivotally connected at their upper ends to opposite sides of the table and pivotally connected at their lower ends to opposite sides of the support, and foot actuated means operatively connected to opposite sides of said table and adapted when depressed to move the table to its active position over and across the tub and when elevated permitting said extensible arms to move said table to its inactive position alongside the tub.

3. In an infants bathtub and associated dressing table, pivoted screen guard and support therefor, means on said support mounting said dressing table for guided movement thereon to and from active and inactive positions respectively overlying the tub and in rear thereof, foot actuated means for effecting movement of said dressing' table from inactive to active positions,

i and means on the dressing table for swinging the screen guard forwardly coincident with the movement of the dressing table to its active position overlying the tub.

4. In an infants bathtub and associated dressing table and support therefor, means mounting said dressing table to the support for movement to and from active and inactive positions overlying the tub and alongside thereof, said means comprising a pair of longitudinally extensible armshaving pivotal connections at their upper ends respectively with the dressing table substantially medially of the opposite ends thereof and having pivotal connections at their lower ends with said support, and a yoke pivotally connected at its upper ends to the dressing table substantially medially of the ends thereof depending therefrom and provided with a foot actuating portion.

5. In an infants bathtub and associated dressing table and pivotally connected crossed leg support therefor, means mounting said dressing table to the support for movement to and from active and inactive positions overlying the tub and alongside thereof, said means comprising a pair of longitudinally extensible arms having pivotal connections at their upper ends with the dressing table substantially medially of the opposite ends thereof and having pivotal connections at `.their lower ends with the pivotal connections of 'l 75 i said crossed leg support. and a foot actuated yoke l pivotally connected with the dressing table substantially medially thereof for moving the same to active position.

6.' In an' infants bathtubandassociated dressing table and support therefor, means for mounting said dressing table to the support for movement to and from active and inactive positions respectively overlyingthe tub and at the rear thereof, said means comprising a pair of longitudinally extensible normally resiliently extended arms having pivotal connectionsat their lower ends with the support and having pivotal connections at their upper ends'with the dressing table, and a foot actuated yoke pivotally' connected with the dressing table for moving the same from inactive to active position, said extensible arms being under tension whenthe dressing table is in active position for automatically moving the dressing table from active position to inactive position. Y y y 7. In an infants bathtub and associated dressing table and pivotally connected crossed leg support therefor, means for mounting said dressing table to the support for4 movement toand 4from active and inactive positions respectively overlyingthe tub and atthev rear thereof, said means comprising a pair of longitudinally-extensible normally resiliently extended arms having pivotal connections at. their lower ends with the pivotal connections of said crossed leg support and having pivotal connections at their upper ends with the dressing table, and a foot actuated yoke pivotally connected with the dressing table for moving the same from inactive to active position, said extensible arms being under tension when the dressing table is in active position for automatically moving the dressing table from active position to inactive position.

8. In an infants bathtub and associated dressing table and pivotally connected crossed leg support therefor, means for mounting said dressing table to the support for movement to and from active and inactive positions respectively overlying the tub and at the rear thereof, said means comprising a pair of longitudinally extensible normally resiliently extended arms having pivotal connections at their lower ends with the pivotal connections of said crossed leg support and having pivotal connections at their upper ends with the dressing table, a foot actuated yoke pivotally connected with the dressing table for moving the same from inactive to active position, said extensible arms being under tension when the dressing table is in active position for automatically moving the dressing table from active position to inactive position, and reieasably locking meansv forv .connecting the opposite ends of the said bars, said stretcher rods being adapted to rest upon the front rail of the support adjacent the said forward portion and upon said supporting guides adjacent the rear thereof with the upturned rear end disposed behind and in contact with the rear rail ot said support, means operatively connecting said dressing table to said support for movement to active and inactive positions overlying and r alongside the tub, said means including a. pair o! longitudinally 'extensible arms pivota'lly connected to the support and pivotally connected with the stretcher rods intermediate the opposite ends thereof, and atoot actuated yoke pivotaily connected at its upper ends to the stretcher rods intermediate the ends thereof for shitting the dressing table from inactive to active position.

l0. In an intant's bathtub and associated dress'- .ing table and support therefor. means operatively mounting said dressing table to said support for movement of the dressing table to and from active and inactive positions overlying the tub and at the rear thereof, said means comprising a pairsaid support. means for lengthwise extending said members and operating means pivotally connected at itsv upper ends to the dressing tabiefintermediate the ends thereof. depending therefrom and provided with a portion for' foot engagement to operate 'the table. v 1i. In an infants bathtub and associated drasina table and support therefor, means operatively mountint Bald dressing table to said support for movement toy and from active and inactive positions respectively overlying the tub and alongside thereof. said'mtans'including a pair ol arms hsving pivotal connections at theirupper ends respectively with. the dressing table intermediate the opposite ends thereof and having pivotal connections at their lower ends with the support. and means cooperating with said arms for automatically elevating the table to a forwardly inclined position whereby the table will be automatically shifted rearwardly from its inclined position to past dead center ot the pivotal connections of the arms with the support and to an overbalanced positionandwillthengravitationally swing to an upright position at the rear o! the v support.

BENJAMIN H. KENNEDY. 

